The Portland daily press., 1887-04-06

AS a very pointed illustration of the care
needed in investigating unknown applica-
tions for charity The following is Of interest.
The first letter, given in full, speaks for it.
self. The address only is changed:
MILTON, -
Dear Madam,--I set reading the transcript I
saw your name in an item where you gave to the
poor thanksgiving day wish you had seen how I
needed diner my little boy and me worked All
summer and then lost all my wages cannot paw
my rent and e live thought what shall do what
put me on the poor farm and take my little bow
away from me shall die then see how good Won
are 10 the poor so took heart and send to Won If
you would send me money enought to nav NV
rent only dollars until spring can do 4 littIs
work to keep us alive oh hope this win reach
you on the eyes OF some generous person that will
help me a little this cold winter coming on and
will pray to god you never will be SO poor as
am. My Address is MRS X
Milton, Maine.
This was sent to the postmaster of Port
land, imploring him to put it into the hands
of some one who would give help. 1t was
sent to one of our merchants who had been
very generous to the poor at Thanksgiving
time.
1t SO happened that the person having
these funds in charge had just reported to
him balance left in her hands. To her the
letter was sent asking that, if upon inyesti-
cation, it proved "clear case" the eight
dollars be forwarded.
But how reach the matter in way not
likely to be offensive to the applicant If She
was worthy person. To write some cler-
gyman scented the least Objectionable
method. The Register gave none living in
Milton, but one near by. To him the letter
was sent with proper explanations and in
confidence give condensed reply:
Have investigated case as well as can. Mrs
X \. is indeed very poor and worthy of your char
/ have talked with Mrs w. one Of our church
members who has known Mrs. X. and she says
pastor in M. at one time. / seem to remember
n i,s as very worthy woman and sincerely hope
that your society viii aid her.
am going TO NJ. on the 25th and will make
more definite inquiries. But there is a minister
settled there now to whom you might write II you
prefer"
wrote to Rev. Mr.. -. condense his
reply:
81 have not been in NJ. long enough to have ac-
curate knowledge of the matter upon which You
write: Have called two or three times upon Mrs
y. Had supposed she was In fair circumstances
She has near relatives here who are Certainly
well situated, but | remember she once COM
plalhea mat they would have nothing to do with
her. Did not think it best to inquire into that
matter
think Mrs; X is proud-sprited woman
ana has not let her wants be KNOWN 1 am quite
sure the people OF Milton would not let one Of its
citizens suffer if they knew 1t. l shall cali upon
ner again soon. and learn more OF the case. Be-
lieye have given you all the information cen at
present.
This did not encourage me to send away
money, every dollar of which was needed at
/ home. wrote again to my first correspond
ent.
"As the time is near when you are to visit Mil
ton, VIII ask you to confer with your brother
tain"
| give his reply.
"Haye been at M. Mrs. x is undoubtedly an
imposter. She is in one way poor for she has no
faculty for getting along, and would be poor under
almost any circumstances But she has no small
children. She has one daughter married. and a
grown son, who supports her. She owns her
place OF IL acres of land, good house and barn.
Under these circumstances / hardly see that Won
are called upon to aid her."
should think not. / wish now to call at
tention to the perfect sincerity and right in
tention of the persons giving information in
this matter, and again press the need of care.
| have had cases right here in the city warm
ly recommended to me that have proved ut
terly unworthy.
But | believe the evil is diminishing, and
am sure that with earnest Cooperation we
can largely reduce this miserable whining
and lying as something that doesn't paw III
we can bring no higher influence to bear up
on it,
What better things can be done for honest
poverty than to sift it out from this mass Of
deceit in which it is so often overwhelmed?
NJ + +,